Israeli forces have consistently carried out killings when no lives were in danger. The Israeli authorities' failure to carry out proper investigations into unlawful killings sends the message that Palestinian lives are cheap. More than 600 Palestinian homes have been systematically demolished, making thousands
homeless, the vast majority children. More than 100 checkpoints throughout the West Bank and Gaza have not stopped suicide bombings. The closures of towns and villages deny freedom of movement and appear to be set up to harass, collectively punish, intimidate and humiliate the Palestinian people.
Two weeks ago Amnesty International delegates investigated the Israeli army's recent attacks on towns, including refugee camps. In each instance tanks had entered the area, rolling over cars, running over walls, breaking down house and shop fronts. Heavy fire was used against densely-populated residential areas. Homes of the families of "wanted" men or suicide bombers were blown up, causing severe structural damage to houses all around.
In the camps curfews were imposed and electricity, water and telephones cut off for up to nine days. In several camps male Palestinians between 15 and 45 were ordered to report to an assembly point and hundreds were arrested. For the first 24 hours they were handcuffed, blindfolded, given no food, no blanket, and not allowed to go to the toilet. Ten days afterwards about 100 of more than 2,500 arbitrarily arrested remained in detention.
homeless, the vast majority children. More than 100 checkpoints throughout the West Bank and Gaza have not stopped suicide bombings. The closures of towns and villages deny freedom of movement and appear to be set up to harass, collectively punish, intimidate and humiliate the Palestinian people.
Two weeks ago Amnesty International delegates investigated the Israeli army's recent attacks on towns, including refugee camps. In each instance tanks had entered the area, rolling over cars, running over walls, breaking down house and shop fronts. Heavy fire was used against densely-populated residential areas. Homes of the families of "wanted" men or suicide bombers were blown up, causing severe structural damage to houses all around.
In the camps curfews were imposed and electricity, water and telephones cut off for up to nine days. In several camps male Palestinians between 15 and 45 were ordered to report to an assembly point and hundreds were arrested. For the first 24 hours they were handcuffed, blindfolded, given no food, no blanket, and not allowed to go to the toilet. Ten days afterwards about 100 of more than 2,500 arbitrarily arrested remained in detention.